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A-listers have been flying to Rio to stay at this glorious art nouveau pile overlooking Copacabana beach since 1933, when Fred and Ginger used it as a backdrop for their first film. This is Rio’s stylish grand dame hotel and the building oozes heritage – photos of guests from Orson Welles to Prince Charles adorn the ballroom gallery.
The best rooms are in the original art nouveau older building (not the ungainly modern annexe), with lovely sea views. These come in contemporary neutral tones with Juliet balconies, polished wood floors (with Persian carpets), marble bathrooms, and Belle Epoque French furniture. Suites are similar but with separate sitting rooms and the 100 metre-square penthouses come with butlers.
There are three uber-elegant restaurants, including Mee – the only pan-Asian restaurant in the city to win a Michelin star.
The hotel is right on the Avenida Atlantica urban highway and overlooks Copacabana beach. The neighbourhood is busy day and night, and a little tawdry after dark, but the municipal authorities are cleaning things up. Streets behind are mixed middle-class residential and commercial, with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[0.2 miles]
This world-famous 4km crescent is the epicentre of Rio’s beach scene and the perfect place for beach sports and people-watching. It;’s not great for swimming – water quality is especially poor when the tide comes in.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[2 miles]
A wonderful rainforest and beach walk that winds around Morro da Urca hill next to Sugar Loaf mountain, offering myriad beautiful mountain and ocean views.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 45 mins (one way)
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.2 miles]
Rock climb and/or abseil Rio’s most famous landmark, with spectacular bays, beaches and mountains as a backdrop.
Best for ages: 13+ | £35 | 5 hours
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.2 miles]
With stunning views of the Christ statue, Copacabana beach and central Rio, Sugar Loaf is unmissable
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.6 miles]
Pelé da Praia has been teaching locals and tourists Brazilian football tricks on Ipanema beach for more than a decade. One-to-one tuition and group classes available. Contact him at peledapraia1@hotmail.com.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15 | 1-2 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.1 miles]
Rio’s prettiest, chicest ocean beach, is watched over by the impressive Dois Irmaos mountain that sits behind. The water is cleaner, and the crowd more exclusive the further south you go, where Ipanema Beach merges into the more upscale Leblon Beach.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.7 miles]
Once the Emperor’s private retreat, these gardens brim with rare plants and are a haven for birds and butterflies
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.8 miles]
An Instagram favourite, these colourful mosaic steps were created by Chilean immigrant Jorge Selaron. Visit the bottom end in Lapa (off Rua Joaquim Silva) – the upper reaches in Santa Teresa lie close to a favela and are unsafe.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Southeastern Region, Brazil
Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…
